Heart Anatomy & Basic Function

1. Heart Anatomy & Basic Function

2. (1) Cardiovascular Function • Cardiovascular = Heart, Arteries, Veins, Blood • Function: • Transportation • Blood = transport vehicle • Carries oxygen, nutrients, wastes, and hormones • Movement provided by pumping of heart

3. (2) Cardiac Tissues • Outermost = Pericardium & Epicardium • Pericardium is a membrane anchoring heart to diaphragm and sternum • Pericardium secretes lubricant (serous fluid) • Epicardium is outermost muscle tissue • Middle = Myocardium • Contains contractile muscle fibers • Innermost = Endocardium • Lines Cardiac Chambers

6. (3) Cardiac Chambers • Human heart has 4 chambers • 2 Atria • Superior = primary receiving chambers, do not actually pump • Blood flows into atria • 2 Ventricles • Pump blood • Contraction = blood sent out of heart + circulated • Chambers are separated by septum… • Due to separate chambers, heart functions as double pump

8. …To the rest of the body …To the lungs Deoxygenated Blood Oxygenated Blood

9. (4) Pulmonary Circulation • Pulmonary = Deoxygenated Blood • Involves Right Side of Heart • Pathway: • Superior / Inferior Vena Cava • Right Atrium  Tricuspid Valve • Right Ventricle  Pulmonary Semilunar Valve • Left Pulmonary Artery • Lungs

11. (5) Systemic Circulation • Systemic = Oxygenated Blood • Involves Left Side of Heart • Pathway: • Left Pulmonary Vein • Left Atrium  Bicuspid Valve • Left Ventricle  Aortic Semilunar Valve • Aorta • All Other Tissues

14. (6) Cardiac Valves [4 main valves] • When the heart is relaxed… • Blood passively fills atrium • Flows right past tricuspid / bicuspid valves • Semilunar Valves remain shut • When the heart contracts (pumps)… • Tricuspid / Bicuspid valves swing up and shut • Blood ejected out of ventricle • Semilunar Valves open up